Around the world, Christmas is celebrated with unique and fascinating traditions. In Spain, families eagerly participate in the “El Gordo” lottery, the world’s largest lottery draw, on December 22nd, marking the start of festive celebrations. Meanwhile, in Sweden, the Festival of Saint Lucia on December 13th ushers in the holiday season, with processions of girls in white gowns and candlelit wreaths, symbolizing the bringing of light in the dark Scandinavian winter. Let’s explore some of these fascinating Christmas customs from around the world.

Sweden: The Festival of Saint Lucia

In Sweden, the Christmas season begins with Saint Lucia’s Day on December 13th. Young girls dress in white gowns with red sashes and wear wreaths of candles on their heads to honor the Christian martyr, Saint Lucia. The celebration symbolizes bringing the light of Christianity throughout Swedish history.

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Germany: Advent Calendars and Markets

Germany is renowned for its Advent calendars and Christmas markets. The Advent calendar, a German invention, is used to count the days in anticipation of Christmas, often filled with chocolates or small gifts. The German Christmas markets, especially the one in Nuremberg, are famous for their festive and cozy atmosphere, offering a variety of crafts, foods, and holiday decorations.

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Japan: Christmas KFC

An unusual yet popular tradition in Japan is eating KFC on Christmas Eve. This tradition started in the 1970s due to a highly successful marketing campaign by KFC. Today, many Japanese people pre-order their “Christmas Chicken” weeks in advance.

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Philippines: The Giant Lantern Festival

The Philippines, known for having the world’s longest Christmas season, also hosts the Giant Lantern Festival. This festival is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve in the city of San Fernando, known as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” Artisans create large, intricate lanterns, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem.

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Italy: The Feast of the Seven Fishes

On Christmas Eve, Italians celebrate with the Feast of the Seven Fishes. This tradition involves a meal consisting of seven different seafood dishes. It’s said to represent the wait for the midnight birth of Jesus.

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Iceland: The Yule Lads

In Iceland, the 13 days leading up to Christmas are celebrated with visits from the 13 Yule Lads. These mischievous characters leave gifts for children or, in the case of naughty children, rotting potatoes. Each Yule Lad has a distinct personality and role.

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Norway: Hiding the Brooms

One of the more unusual Christmas Eve traditions is found in Norway, where people hide their brooms. It’s a tradition that dates back centuries to when people believed that witches and evil spirits came out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on.

Spain: El Gordo Lottery

In Spain, the Christmas season is marked by the drawing of the El Gordo (The Fat One) lottery, the biggest lottery in the world. Held on December 22nd, it is a major event and watched by a significant portion of the population.

Conclusion

Christmas traditions around the world are as varied as the countries that celebrate them. From Sweden’s candlelit processions to Japan’s KFC feasts, these customs reflect the rich cultural diversity of the holiday season. Each tradition adds its own color to the festive canvas, creating a global celebration of joy, unity, and spirit.